CNMI joins worldwide vigil for World Diabetes Day

Candles were lit for a sunset vigil that marked the CNMI’s participation in the World Diabetes Day celebration, a global effort to promote diabetes care and prevention.

Held every Nov. 14 around the world, the annual event was celebrated on Saipan at the Oleai Sports Complex track oval and was spearheaded by the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program under the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.

House Speaker Eli Cabrera (R-Saipan), who served as the event’s keynote speaker, told the participants that there’s no excuse for island residents not to eat healthy and assured the public of his and his colleagues’ commitment to help the healthcare corporation in its awareness, prevention, and control efforts.

“We hold the key to a healthier lifestyle…Let’s continue promoting awareness and become a healthier Commonwealth,” said Cabrera.

While medical providers play a large part in dealing with diabetes, Dr. Dan Lamar, acting director for Medical Affairs, noted that “each and every individual” holds the “most important role” in preventing this disease.

“The medical community, we’re here to serve you. But really, you’re the one who’s the most important member of the team, making the right choices in your life such as how you eat and how active you are. Those are really critical decisions you have to make to help prevent getting these problems,” he said.

Lamar also shared with some 30 members in the crowd an article he read in a medical journal, which stated that a person’s diet “actually overrides a lot of our genetic predispositions.”

“Even though they had this genetic gene, there are ways to turn genes on and off. Through diet, you can turn off those genes that are problem genes and help prevent those things from occurring. That’s great news. It helps you realize that you have a lot more control. That’s the message I want to get to you,” explained Lamar.

Two individuals also delivered testimonials on how diabetes changed their lives.

John Manglona, 55, said he was diagnosed with diabetes in 1996, years before he retired from the government service in 2003. He said his illness had “ripple effects” on their household, prompting himself and his family members to make adjustments and sacrifices.

“It was painful, there was a lot of sacrifices,” said Manglona. “But life must go on.”

Since then, Manglona said he changed his diet. From being a meat lover, Manglona now eats raw vegetables and lots of fruits and drinks warm water only. Meditation became an important part of his life, too.

Manglona encouraged the community to have a “renewed mindset and positive attitude” to embrace a longer and healthier life. “Let us all work together for a diabetes-free lifestyle.”

Malua Peter, for her part, said that after her retirement, she started getting involved with health-related gatherings in the CNMI, even becoming a member of the Commonwealth Diabetes Coalition.

Peter, a staunch advocate of healthy living in the CNMI, disclosed that she started her efforts in her own home, taking out beer and roasted pig, especially during family celebrations. “I was successful in my family,” said Peter.

Monday’s event concluded with the sunset vigil, where participants held lit candles wrapped in blue bags as they walked around the facility’s track and field four times, equivalent to a mile.

Young participants also played with their blue hula hoops, which represent the International Diabetes Federations’ Blue Circle, the universal symbol for diabetes.